Unit -1 Applied Grammar and Usage
Subject Verb agreement- The term subject – verb agreement, just like
the name suggests, refers to the agreement between the subject and the
verb. This is mainly with reference to singular and plural nouns/pronouns
that act as subjects.
He is playing the cricket.
They are playing the cricket.
Subject – Verb concord – According to the Collins Dictionary,
“Concord refers to the way that a word has a form appropriate to the
number or gender of the noun or pronoun it relates to. For example, in
‘She hates it’, there is concord between the singular form of the verb and
the singular pronoun ‘she’.
Agreement of the Verb with its Subjects –
1. Usually singular subjects take singular verbs and plural subjects take
plural verb.
He runs fast.
They run fast.
2. Two or more singular subjects joined by and take a plural verb.
Mohan and Sohan are friends.
3. If two singular subjects joined by and but they show same person or
thing, singular verb takes place.
Bread and butter is my favourite.
4. Singular subjects separated by ‘or’, ‘nor’, ‘either – or’, ‘neither – nor’
take a singular verb.
Neither the driver nor the cleaner feels happy.
5. Plural subjects separated by ‘or’, ‘nor’, ‘either – or’, ‘neither – nor’
take a plural verb.
Neither the teachers nor the parents are to blame.
6. When two subjects are joined by ‘or’, ‘nor’, ‘neither – nor’, ‘either –
or’ and one is plural subject, the verb must be plural and the plural
subject should be placed nearest the verb.
Neither the chairman nor the directors are present.
7. When the subjects joined by ‘or’, ‘nor’, either – or’, ‘neither – nor’ are
of different persons, the verb agrees with the nearer.
Either he or I am mistaken.
Either you or he is mistaken.
8. (i) When a collective noun acts as a single unit the verb is singular.
The committee has issued its report.
(ii) When collective noun acts as individuals the verb is plural.
The committee are divided on one minor point.
9. When a plural noun denoting distance, weight, height or amount of
money as a single unit, it takes a singular verb.
10 k.m. is a long walk.
[Link] plural in form but singular in meaning, take a singular verb.
( Mathematics, Economics, Politics, Civics, Physics, News)
The news is true.
11.(i) Some words are used as plural words then plural verb will take
place.
(Scissors, Shoes, gloves, trousers)
The scissors are very sharp.
(ii) ‘A pair of’ when applied to these things (Scissors, shoes, gloves,
trousers) take a singular verb.
A pair of scissors is kept in the drawer.
[Link] nouns are used in singular so they take singular verb.
The scenery of Kashmir attracts the tourists.
[Link] with pronouns such as anybody, anyone, no one, somebody,
someone, everybody, everyone, nothing and nobody are treated as
singular subjects and will therefore use a singular verb.
Nobody has understood anything.
Everyone was happy with the outcome.
Transformation of Sentences
1. Simple Sentence - A Simple Sentence has a single independent
clause. It requires a subject and a verb.
Mohan plays cricket.
I write a letter.
2. Compound Sentence – Compound sentences consist of two or more
independent clauses, i.e., each is capable of standing on its own and
conveying a message. Each has equal status and provides equally
important information. These clauses may be linked with connective
words or phrases such as: and, but, or, yet, so, either – or, neither–nor,
not only – but also.
Ram studies during the day, and he plays in the evening.
Mohan went to camp but the others stayed at home.
3. Complex Sentence – A complex sentence consists of one independent
clause with one or two subordinate (dependent) clauses. An
independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence. A
subordinate clause also contains a subject and a verb but cannot stand
alone as a complete sentence. These subordinate clauses are connected
to the independent clause by subordinating conjunctions like while,
because, since, and although.
The plant died because it was not watered.
(The plant died – Independent Clause)
(Because it was not watered. – Dependent Clause)
He said that he was going to Delhi.
(He said – Dependent Clause)
(That he was going to Delhi. – Independent Clause)
Coordinating Conjunction – A Co-ordinating Conjunction is a word
that joins two elements of equal grammatical rank. They can join two
verbs, two nouns, two adjectives, two phrases or two independent clauses.
The seven co-ordinating Conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and,
so (FANBOYS)
The children ran and jumped all over the playground. (Two verbs)
Would you like tea or milk for breakfast? (Two nouns)
Subordinating Conjunction – A Subordinating Conjunction is a word or
phrase that links a dependent clause to an independent clause.
Some examples of these Conjunctions are: although, after, before,
because, how, if, so that, since, that, when, as, than, where
He is staying because it is raining outside.
Everything was going alright before he came here to live.
Clause – A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and
predicate. Clauses are similar to phrase but they are more complete.
Independent Clause – These Clauses can stand alone as complete
sentences. For example “Mohan runs,” and “Mohan eats mango” both
are independent clauses.
Dependent Clauses – These clauses can’t stand alone as complete
sentences. There are different types of dependent clauses, including:
Noun Clauses – These clauses function as nouns in a sentence.
They can be subjects, objects, or complements.
What he said surprised everyone.
I want to know "where they went.
Sentence 1: "What he said surprised everyone."
→ The clause "What he said" is a noun clause. It acts as the
subject of the verb surprised.
• Sentence 2: "I want to know where they went."
→ The clause "where they went" is also a noun clause. It
functions as the object of the verb know.
Adverb Clauses – These clauses modify verbs, adjectives, or
adverbs. They are introduced by subordinating conjunctions
such as when, while, because, although, if.
He studied hard so that he could get good grades.
You can put those shoes wherever you want.
→ The clause "so that he could get good grades" is an
adverb clause of purpose, because it tells us why he
studied hard.
• "You can put those shoes wherever you want."
→ The clause "wherever you want" looks like an adverbial
of place,
📘 Comparative Table of Adverb Clauses
Type of Adverb Key Question Common Clause
Example Sentence
Clause Answered Subordinators Highlighted
When? How when, while, before, I will call you
when I reach
Time long? How after, until, since, as when I reach
home
often? soon as home.
You can sit wherever you
Place Where? where, wherever
wherever you like. like
He studied hard so
Why? For so that he could
Purpose so that, in order that that he could get
what reason? get good grades
good grades.
She stayed inside
because it was
Cause/Reason Why? because, since, as because it was
raining
raining.
Under what if, unless, provided You will succeed if if you work
Condition
condition? that, as long as you work hard. hard
She smiled
although, though, although she
Concession Despite what? although she was
even if, whereas was tired
tired.
How? To what He runs faster
Comparison than, as…as, as if than I do
degree? than I do.
How? In what He speaks as if he as if he knows
Manner as, as if, as though
way? knows everything. everything
Adjective Clauses – These clauses modify much as an
adjective. They are also known as relative clauses because they
usually contain a relative pronoun or relative verb.
The man who lives next door is a doctor.
The book that I read last night was very interesting.
"The man who lives next door is a doctor."
→ The clause "who lives next door" describes the noun
man. That makes it an adjective clause.
The second sentence:
• "The book that I read last night was very interesting."
→ The clause "that I read last night" also describes the
noun book. This too is an adjective clause.
📘 Comparative Table: Noun vs. Adjective Clauses
Feature Noun Clause Adjective Clause
Acts as a noun in the sentence Acts as an adjective, modifying a
Function
(subject, object, complement). noun/pronoun.
Key Question
What? / Who? Which one? / What kind of?
Answered
that, if, whether, wh-words (what, relative pronouns (who, whom, whose,
Introduced By who, whom, whose, which, why, which, that) or relative adverbs (where,
how, where, when) when, why)
Example The man who lives next door is a
What she said was surprising.
(Subject) doctor.
Example The book that I read last night was
I don’t know what he wants.
(Object) interesting.
Example
I believe that honesty matters. She is the girl who won the prize.
(Complement)
Clause Role Replaces a noun. Describes/qualifies a noun.
Noun Clause = Name/Thing → replaces a noun.
Adjective Clause = Adds Detail → describes a noun.
This way, you instantly recall: Noun = What/Who, Adjective = Which/What kind.
Coordinating Conjunctions – (Compound Sentence)
And, But, Or, Nor, Not only – but also, Either – or, So, Neither – nor,
Otherwise, Still, As well as.
I am ill so I can not work today.
Work hard otherwise you will fail.
Sub – ordinate Conjunction – (Complex Sentence)
That, What, Where, When, Who, Whose, Whom, Which, How, Why, As
soon as, While, When, Because, Though, If, Till, Until, Lest, Then, So-as,
As-as, Before, After.
Though she is rich, she is hardworking.
Transformation of Sentence
1. Seeing a lion Mohan ran away. (Simple Sentence)
As Mohan saw a lion, he ran away. (Complex Sentence)
Mohan saw a lion and he ran away. (Compound Sentence)
2. He is too weak to run fast. (Simple Sentence)
He is so weak that he can not run fast. (Complex Sentence)
He is very weak so he can not run fast. (Compound Sentence)
3. Tired he took rest. (Simple Sentence)
He took rest because he was tired. (Complex Sentence)
He was tired so he took rest. (Compound Sentence)
4. Walking in the garden, Aman saw a snake. (Simple Sentence)
Aman saw a snake when he was walking in the garden. (Complex
Sentence)
Aman was walking in the garden and he saw a snake. (Compound
Sentence)
Word formation
By using Suffixes – A suffix is attached at the end of the root word.
Agree + ment – Agreement
Nouns from Verbs
Suffix verbs Noun
Ment appoint appointment
Agree agreement
Arrange arrangement
Ion act action
Attract attraction
Add addition
Ing learn learning
Earn earning
Build building
Nouns from Adjectives –
Suffix Adjective Nouns
Ity able ability
Active activity
Equal equality
Ness busy business
Happy happiness
Kind kindness
Adjectives from Nouns –
Suffix Nouns Adjectives
Y air airy
Bush bushy
Dust dusty
Grass grassy
Ly hour hourly
Year yearly
Ish book bookish
Red reddish
Ful harm harmful
Beauty beautiful
Sorrow sorrowful
Less use useless
Life lifeless
Adjectives from verbs –
Suffix Verbs Adjectives
Able admire admirable
Love loveable
Ful thank thankful
Help helpful
Prefixes – A prefix is attached at the beginning of a root word.
Dis + honest – Dishonest
Prefix Meaning Word New Word
In/il/im/ir/un not visible invisible
Legal illegal
Possible impossible
Regular irregular
Comfortable uncomfortable
Anti against national anti-national
Auto self mobile auto-mobile
Cut auto-cut
Bi two, twice annual biannual
Weekly bi-weekly
Ex former, out president ex-president
Chairman ex-chairman
Homo similar phone homophone
Inter between act interact
Change interchange
Intra within urban intraurban
Mis wrong call miscall
Micro small analysis microanalysis
Chemistry microchemistry
Multi many colour multicolour
Post after graduate postgraduate
Re repeat admission readmission
Semi half circle semicircle
Sub under title subtitle
Formation of Nouns –
Verbs into Nouns
(Verb) (Noun)
Believe Belief
Bear Birth
Choose Choice
Apply Application
Elect Election
Attend Attendance
Approve Approval
Arrive Arrival
Act Action
Arrange Arrangement
Argue Argument
Assemble Assembly
Attach Attachment
Compose Composition
Confirm Confirmation
Connect Connection
Discover Discovery
Calculate Calculation
Celebrate Celebration
Circulate Circulation
Classify Classification
Collect Collector, Collection
Communicate Communication
Explain Explanation
Decide Decision
Decorate Decoration
Adjectives into Nouns
(Adjective) (Noun)
Able Ability
Active Activity
Brave Bravery
Busy Business
Free Freedom
Formal Formality
Local Locality
Modern Modernity
Noble Nobility
Patriot Patriotism
Public Publicity
Fresh Freshness
Hot Heat
Nouns into Adjectives
(Nouns) (Adjectives)
Air Airy
Anger Angry
Face Facial
Fault Faulty
Cheer Cheerful
Circle Circular
Blood Bloody
Fog Foggy
Glory Glorious
Habit Habitual
Ice Icy
Judge Judicial
Juice Juicy
Labour Laborious
Language Linguistic
Length Lengthy
Milk Milky
Magnet Magnetic
Noise Noisy
Office Official
Pity Pitiable
Sun Sunny
System Systematic
Technology Technological
Victory Victorious
Wind Windy
Will Wilful
Wood Wooden
Year Yearly
Wool Woollen
Verbs into Nouns
(Verbs) (Nouns)
Do Deed
Earn Earnings
Judge Judgment
Labour Labourer
Laugh Laughter
Measure Measurement
Mix Mixture
Object Objection
Permit Permission
Know Knowledge
Kill killer
Prepare Preparation
Serve Service
Sing Singer
Differ Difference
Instruct Instructor, Instruction
Flow Flood
Fly Flight
Grow Growth
Donate Donation
Choose the correct form of the verb (is, am, are, was, were, has, have) that
agrees with the subject.
[Link] price of this jeans ................reasonable.
2. The books borrowed from the library .......................on my desk.
3. The boy who won the two medals ........a friend of mine.
4. Bread and butter .......our daily food.
5. The famous singer and composer .......arrived.
6. Collecting matchboxes ...............one of his favourite pastimes.
7. The quality of candies ...........poor.
8. Neither his father nor his mother ...............come.
9. Neither parent ................fond of playing mah-jong.
10. None of my friends .........there.
11. Many a student ..............made the same mistake.
12. Gold, as well as platinum .................recently risen in price.
13. The boss as well as his colleagues .................. been robbed by robbers.
14. Ten tons ..............a heavy load.
15. Fifty miles ...........a long distance.
16. Thirty years ................a long time.
17. One of the books ................been missing.
18. The poor ........................suffering.
19. You should decide which one of the three A, B, or C .........best suited to the
question.
20. One of the most intelligent students ....................John.
21. She and her friends ...........at the fair.
22. The boy or his friends .................every day. (run)
23. The book or the pen ....................in the drawer.
24. The president accompanied by his wife ...........................travelling to America.
25. All the books including yours ........................in that box.
26. The committee ..................how to proceed. (decide)
27. The women with her children .................down the street. (walk)
28. The people who listen to that music ..................few.
29. Some of the voters .....................still angry.
30. A large percentage of the older population ............voting against her.
31. Two – fifths of the troops .................lost in the battle.
32. Two – fifths of the vineyard ......................destroyed by fire.
33. Forty percent of the students .......................in favour of changing the policy.
34. Two and Two ..............four.
35. Four times four divided by two ........................eight.
36. The department members but not the chair ...............decided not to teach on
Valentine ’s Day. 37. It was the speaker not his ideas that ..................provoked the
students to riot.
38. The average worker’s earning ................gone up dramatically.
39. Our thanks ...............to the workers who supported the union. (go)
40. A pair of trousers ...............in the closet.